Eye of the Storm: An Interdisciplinary Art and Science Conference on Scientific Controversy at Tate Britain

LONDON.- From esoteric arguments over the structure of the universe to highly charged public controversies around the use of stem cells, The Arts Catalyst is bringing together an international line up of artists and scientists to debate today's hot issues in science and society in the Eye of the Storm at Tate Britain on 19 and 20 June.

This conference will touch on brilliance and ego, obsessions and cover-ups, dissent and whistle-blowing, big science, high finance, deviant science, the reliability of knowledge and the legislation of uncertainty.

Nicola Triscott, Director of The Arts Catalyst explains: "These two days will spark dynamic conversations about our changing world, and showcase the role of artists in reframing and bringing debates in science to a broader public. It's eleven years since our first Eye of the Storm conference; during the last decade The Arts Catalyst has curated an exciting series of commissions, exhibitions and events to widen the conversation about climate change, genetics and our knowledge of the universe. Now it's time to revisit how artists, scientists and social scientists are responding to contemporary concerns around these themes."

Speakers at the Eye of the Storm conference at Tate Britain:

Professor Sheila Jasanoff of Harvard University, one of the major voices in science and technology studies, calls for a new humility in science and technology
Helen and Newton Mayer Harrison, pioneers of environmental art, will describe their recent work which highlights how ill-equipped we are to meet a future shaped by global warming

artist Eduardo Kac will talk about his transgenic hybrid creations, which have generated controversy since he first persuaded French geneticists to produce a rabbit that glows in the dark

scientist Sylvia Nagl will announce that the era of the gene - as we have known it - has ended, and demands a radical re-definition of the genetic paradigm

astronomer Roger Malina will discuss the crisis in fundamental physics precipitated by the discovery of the accelerating expansion of the universe and the challenge posed by dark energy to our understanding of gravity

Eye of the Storm is a collaboration between The Arts Catalyst and Tate Britain's public programme which seeks to develop new conversations across disciplines. The conference in held in association with Leonardo/OLATS.

The Arts Catalyst is a London-based arts organisation that commissions new art which experimentally and critically engages with science. It produces provocative, playful, risk-taking projects that aim to spark meaningful conversations about our changing world. www.artscatalyst.org